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Phylogenetic signal and variation of visceral pigmentation in eight anuran families
Author(s) -
Provete Diogo B.,
FrancoBelussi Lilian,
De Souza Santos Lia R.,
Zieri Rodrigo,
Moresco Rafaela M.,
Martins Itamar A.,
De Almeida Silvio C.,
De Oliveira Classius
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2012.00559.x
Subject(s) - biology , phylogenetic tree , anatomy , context (archaeology) , vertebrate , phylogenetics , zoology , evolutionary biology , genetics , gene , paleontology
Provete, D. B, Franco‐Belussi, L., de Souza Santos, L. R., Zieri, R., Moresco, R. M., Martins, I. A., de Almeida, S. C., & de Oliveira, C. (2012). Phylogenetic signal and variation of visceral pigmentation in eight anuran families. — Zoologica Scripta , 41 , 547‐556. Visceral pigmentation is found in several organs and structures of ectothermic animals, comprising the extracutaneous pigmentary system. Its function is not well defined, although it is known that melanin is produced and stored inside pigmented cells. Previous studies demonstrated that the distribution of visceral pigmentation is neither homogeneous among organs among anuran species. We described the diversity of visceral pigmentation in 12 organs/structures from 32 anuran species belonging to eight families in a phylogenetic context. We also determined in which node(s) of the phylogeny there is more variation in the pigmentation and whether this variation has phylogenetic signal. The visceral pigment cells in organs and structures of the abdominal cavity varied among genera. All species had pigmentation in the urogenital and cardiorespiratory systems, whereas the stomach lacks pigmentation in all species. We also found a phylogenetic signal for pigmentation in all organs and structures taken together, besides heart, testes, lumbar parietal peritoneum and lumbar nerve plexus when considered separately. Overall, considering all organs, the highest diversity of categories of pigmentation was found in the nodes corresponding to Cruciabatrachia and Athesphatanura. This study constitutes the first step towards understanding the evolution of visceral pigmentation in anurans.